<p>IRS efile (for me its with the free-fillable forms) was not available until Jan 30. So, I waited since I figured efile would be best for FAFSA/CSS purposes - I would be able to use the IRS data retrieval tool sooner. </p>
<p>Then I find that one of the forms I need will not be available for efile until March (but WHEN in March is unclear). I am thinking maybe I should go snail mail, and send the forms NOW because I am worried about the delay; but I also understand that it takes longer for the IRS to process paper forms.</p>
<p>Does anyone have a suggestion as to which would be better at this point? Is it likely to matter?</p>
<p>(I filed the FAFSA as "will file" in early January, so that is done. I also filed the CSS profile for a couple of schools in late November, but need to update it this month for one additional school.)
Thanks for any input.</p>
<p>Just a guess, but if the IRS can’t handle the efile version of the form until March, they are just going to sit on paper returns that use that form until March, because the first thing they do with paper forms is enter them into their computer system.</p>
<p>And then at that point, the paper one will take longer.</p>
<p>You might want to take out the information that needs the form, file your taxes and then amend them when the forms are ready. That is what I did because something small was holding up my taxes and my son’s college said they don’t adjust Financial Aid until the FAFSA is finalized with tax info.</p>
<p>Both good ideas…thank you.
I was thinking at least if I paper-filed it, I could go back into the FAFSA and change “will file” to “have filed” (and make the necessary changes with the real numbers) and be done with it, even though I know that I can’t use the data retrieval tool and verification, if required, won’t happen until who knows when.</p>
<p>And I thought because I was ready and organized the process might actually go smoothly!</p>